Getting a Marriage License in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Clerk issues marriage licenses. Teresa Cottrell's office sits at Veterans Plaza and handles licenses, passports, business and beer licenses, notaries, and vehicle titles. A Montgomery County marriage record starts here, with the license application both partners sign in person. The license is valid throughout Tennessee and must be used within 30 days of issue.
There is no waiting period and no blood test. The license is issued the same day. Both applicants must appear in the office to sign the permanent record book, and an authorized officiant must return the completed license within three days of the marriage. Because the license expires 30 days after issue, it is best to apply close to the wedding date rather than far ahead.
The County Clerk's marriage page links the online application, the printable form, and a certified-copy request.
The screenshot below is the County Clerk's marriage license page.
It lists the fee, the ID rules, the course discount, and the certified-copy request for Montgomery County marriage records.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The process is quick if you bring the right documents. Both parties must be 18 or older, with a driver's license or government photo ID showing date of birth. If either party is under 18, contact the County Clerk for added requirements.
- Both partners go to the County Clerk's office together.
- Bring photo ID with date of birth for each applicant.
- Provide names, ages, addresses, and Social Security numbers as required by law.
- Pay the license fee, or the reduced fee with a premarital course certificate.
- Both sign the permanent record book and receive the license.
If an applicant has no Social Security number, the county requires proof of foreign citizenship with a passport, immigration, or visa documents. State law, at Tennessee Code § 36-3-104, sets out the identifying details both applicants must give, including names, ages, addresses, and the names of parents, a guardian, or next of kin. Having those details ready for both partners keeps the visit short.
Marriage License Application Fields
The printable application asks for identifying details on both partners and their parents. The main fields are listed below.
| Field | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First / Middle / Last Name | Text | Yes | Applicant identifying fields. |
| Maiden Name or Suffix | Text | Conditional | Captures prior or suffix detail. |
| Parent #1 and #2 Names | Text | Yes | Parent identifying fields for each applicant. |
| Address, City, State, ZIP, County | Text | Yes | Applicant residence. |
| Birth Date and Age | Date / Number | Yes | Date and age fields. |
| Social Security # | Text | Conditional | Required unless proof of foreign citizenship is shown. |
The form also asks about any prior marriage and how it ended, by divorce, death, or annulment.
Montgomery County Marriage and Divorce Fees
The marriage license fee is set by the County Clerk, with a discount for couples who finish a qualifying course. Divorce filing costs are set by the court, and an indigency affidavit may waive them for those who qualify.
| Item | Amount / Rule |
|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $107.50 |
| With premarital preparation course | $47.50 |
| Course requirement | Minimum four-hour course; notarized certificate at application. |
| Card processing | 2.25% of total plus 25 cents. |
| Waiting period | None; license valid 30 days. |
| Blood test | Not required. |
Accepted payment includes cash, MasterCard, Discover, VISA, and American Express.
How to Look Up Montgomery County Marriage Records
Once a marriage is recorded, the County Clerk holds the record. The marriage page links a Montgomery County marriage records search and a certified-copy request, so you can confirm a marriage or order an official copy. For a record from another Tennessee county, contact that county's clerk.
The County Clerk page also explains that the office does not perform ceremonies and does not recommend who may solemnize a marriage. It does link officiant information and details on marriage abroad, which helps couples who plan to marry outside the county or the country.
This image is the County Clerk page.
It shows the clerk's office, hours, and the license functions that include Montgomery County marriage records.
How to Find Montgomery County Divorce Records
Divorce is a court matter, not a clerk-issued license. Divorces filed in Montgomery County go to the Clerk and Master's office at the Courts Complex, where the case is assigned to the proper court and judge. The Chancery forms page links Tennessee court-approved divorce packets, with and without children, plus parenting plan forms.
To find a divorce record, search the court system or contact the Clerk and Master. Because divorce files can hold sensitive personal and financial details, some parts may be restricted. See the court records page for how the online portal works and the Clerk and Master page for the office that holds the file.
If children are involved, a parenting plan is part of the case. Tennessee provides court-approved packets for divorces with and without children, plus a Non-IV-D demographic form, all linked from the Chancery forms page. People who cannot afford the filing fee can ask about an indigency affidavit. The Circuit Court forms page also points to JusticeForAllTN.org for fillable divorce forms, which helps pro se filers prepare before they reach the counter.
Getting Certified Copies
An uncertified copy is fine for a quick check, but legal steps usually need a certified copy. For a marriage record, the County Clerk handles certified-copy requests through the marriage page. For a divorce decree, the Clerk and Master provides certified copies of the court order.
Note: Order a certified copy when a record is needed for legal use, since an uncertified online copy is often not accepted.
People need certified copies for name changes, immigration, benefits, and many legal filings. A certified marriage copy carries the clerk's seal, and a certified divorce decree carries the court's. Plan ahead, because a certified copy can take longer than a quick screen view, and the office that holds the original is the one that certifies it.
Tennessee Vital Records and the County Clerk
Marriage licensing is local, through the County Clerk. Statewide certified vital records are kept by the Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records. For a Montgomery County marriage, start with the County Clerk, whose contact details are below.
Montgomery County Clerk
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502
Clarksville, TN 37040
931-648-5711
Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.